The Boy I Thought I Hated

Chapter 9

Luke noticed that both his sister and Caroline were looking at him weird. Actually, it was more like worried. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in frustration. His cheeks were heated and he felt like he was gonna die. "I'm okay," he whispered.

Caroline and Kelly both shook their heads as he sat down in between them. "No, you're not," Kelly stated. "You haven't gotten better, you've actually gotten worse."

"Kelly, it's not that I think it's my fault, it's just that I miss him."

Caroline smiled. "You know what, maybe Chris' death was a good thing."

Luke gave Caroline a confused look. "How?"

Caroline opened up her arms and Luke scooted closer to her, wrapping her arm gently around him, giving him a comforting smile. "Think about it. Chris wanted us together, right? He said it was God's plan, remember?"

"Yeah, I guess," Luke said.

Kelly perked up. "Oh, I know where this is going!"

Caroline rubbed Luke's arm and continued. "So maybe it was part of God's plan to bring Chris up to him to help him out. You know? Like, maybe Chris is the reason we're together. He put us in just the right places at the right time. Or, maybe he made your parents give me Kerri's number and have her give you mine. Whether it be before or after he died, I'm sure he's the reason we're sitting here right now. Chris was a good man, Luke. No one can deny that."

Kelly nodded in agreement. "Chris wanted nothing more then for you two to be together. He always was coming up with plans on how to bring y'all together. He's probably smiling down at both of you right now."

Luke looked down, like the other two, he ran his fingers over his brother's name. "It's weird, seeing his name on a plaque. He never got to be a father or husband. It's sad, it really is. I bet Jordan misses him, even though she barely remembers him."

"She remembers two uncles, not one. But she doesn't exactly remember him well. She was just a baby. Kris and Til never knew him," Kelly said.

Caroline was shocked. "You have kids? With Lee?"

Kelly nodded. "I guess Luke hasn't filled you in on everything, huh?"

"Well, no. Not exactly," Caroline said as she looked at him.

Luke just shrugged. "I haven't gotten that far yet. It's a shame our kids won't know their uncle."

"Our kids?" Caroline questioned him.

Luke smiled. "Yes, we are gonna have kids one day, aren't we?"

Caroline looked down. A tear slipping from her eyes. She got up and left towards her car. Luke and Kelly both gave each other weird looks. Luke was heartbroken. Was that her way of saying no? Kelly rubbed Luke's shoulder. "Don't fret, Luke. She's just been really emotional."

"I hurt her feelings," Luke sighed. "Maybe she doesn't think she has a future with me."

Kelly shook her head. "It's more than that. Also, what about that Stephanie girl? Before you think of a long term relationship with Caroline, you need to think of how to end it with Stephanie."

Luke nodded. "I know, but I don't know how."

Kelly grinned. "Just straight up tell her. Stephanie doesn't deserve you anyways. Who cares if you break her heart? You don't need to care. The only person who should get your love is Caroline, and you know it."

Caroline leaned against her car. She didn't know what to think. How could he even think about kids with her when he hadn't even told her he loved her? Maybe he doesn't. Caroline wasn't gonna put up with him for any longer. She knew she never should of fell for him. She knew he was just some boy who liked toying with people's hearts. And she wasn't having it.